Mining machine



Jan. 12 1937. T PRAY 2,067,339

MINING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 12, 1937. T, PRAY I 2,067,339

MINING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 19.37. T. E.- PRAY MINING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 fizve'nzbr 75011100531255 oei'iorneg Jan. 12, 1937. T. E. PRAY 2,067,339

MINING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 17706172 01 zomoyfi 1 105;

Jan. 12, 1937..

T. E. PRAY MININQ momma Filed March 1. 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 fikemvr 7720mm if: Bra

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fliformgg T. E. PRAY MINING MACHINE Jan. 12, '1937.

Filed March 1, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Eva/12 02 Jan. 12, 1937. 1'. E.-PRAY MINING MACHINE Filed March 1, v193:,

7 Sheets-Sheet 'T 5 ml in Homes Zip/ Ma P Patented Jan. 12, 1937 MINING MACHINE corporation of Illinois Application March 1, 1933, Serial No. 659,048

23 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines of the type adapted to cut shearing kerfs in the mine wall as well as kerfs adjacent the mine roof or bottom and has as several of its principal objects to provide a track mounted mining machine of the class described, wherein new and improved means are provided for supporting the cutter bar for adjustment in a pluralityof parallel planes in such a manner that horizontal kerfs may be cut in any location in the mine wall from the mine roof to the mine bottom and arrange this adjusting means in such a manner that the cutter bar may be swung about an axis disposed rearwardly of its rearward end for cutting a shearing kerf in the mine wall, and wherein novel means are provided for supporting and rotating the cutter head for adjustment for cutting in various planes and angular relations with respect to the mine wall.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the forward portion of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 1 with the gear cover removed and with certain parts shown in section to more clearly show the details thereof;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3- 1 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along line 5--5 of Figure l;

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the device shown in Figure 5 in transverse section;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view with parts broken away to show the details of the means for elevating the cutting mechanism;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9- of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l6lil of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along line llll of Figure 2; and

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are partial diagrammatic views showing the machine in various positions while cutting a shearing kerf in the mine wall.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the embodiment of my invention illustrated therein includes a main frame or truck 50 mounted on track wheels H, H and axles l2, I2. A turntable I3 is provided on the forward portion of the main frame IE! and has a plurality of upstanding guide frames l4, l4 mounted thereon, which guide frames carry racks l5, l5 and form a means for adjustably supporting a cutting element, generally indicated by reference character 16, so the entire cutting element may be vertically moved towards or away from said turntable in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

The cutting element l 6 includes a motor ll, an elevator frame It extending forwardly of said motor, and a cutter head l9 supported by said elevator frame forwardly of the truck in for vertical or swinging movement with respect thereto on parallel spaced arms 20, 2B and 2i, 2|.

The cutter head I9 is supported for movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the cutting element 16. The cutter head l9 carries a projecting cutter bar 23 having a cutter chain 24 movable thereabout and forms a pivotal support for said cutter bar so said cutter bar may be adjusted about an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutting element I6 and held in various positions of angular adjustment with respect to said cutter head for cutting adjacent the mine bottom in front of and to each side of the track.

A motor 25 is carried by the truck Hi rearwardly of the turntable l3 adjacent one side thereof. The motor 25 may be of any type, but is preferably shown as being an electric motor, and forms a means for driving the track wheels I I and feeding the cutter bar 23 into or along the face of the coal. The motor 25 also serves as a drive means for turning the turntable l3 at either a high or low speed for positioning the cutter bar 23 with respect to the coal face or for feeding said cutter bar across the coal face in front of and to each side of the mine track. A suitable feed drum (not shown) may also be provided for feeding the cutter bar 23 into or along the coal face in a usual manner. The mechanism for driving the truck H3 and turning the turntable it will not herein be described in detail since it is no portion of my present invention and has been clearly shown in a prior application Serial No. 568,912, filed by me, October 15, 1931.

Referring now in particular to the details of the cutter head 19 and mechanism for supporting said cutter head on the cutting element l6, as best shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and several of the novel features of my invention, the cutter head l9 includes a frame member 26 having a flanged rearward end 21 journaled in a support frame 28, Which frame is in turn carried by the parallel spaced arms 20, 2!] and 2|, 2| in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. An annular ring 29 is secured to the forward end of the support frame 28 and abuts the forward portion of the flanged rearward end 21 of the frame member 26 and supports said frame member and the cutter head M for rotatable movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the cutting element I6.

The cutter bar 23 is carried by a cutter bar support member 30 in a suitable manner and said cutter bar support member is in turn mounted in a bored portion of the frame member 25 for pivotal movement with respect thereto about an axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutting element IS. The cutter bar support member 30 has a shouldered portion which has bearing support in the bored portion of the frame member 26. A sectional annular ring 3! is secured to the inner side of the shouldered portion of the cutter bar support member 30 and abuts an annular shouldered portion formed in the frame member 26 and is journaled in a suitable groove formed in said frame memher for pivotally supporting said cutter bar support member and the cutter bar 23.

A suitable means is provided for locking the cutter bar 23 in various positions of angular adjustment with respect to the cutting element l6, which may be of any type but which is herein preferably shown as being a pin and aperture lock of a usual type including a pin 33 carried in the frame member 26 and adapted to engage any one of a plurality of apertures 34, 34 formed in the cutter bar support member 30.

A sprocket 35, adapted to engage and drive the cutter chain 24, is keyed on the end of a vertical shaft 36. The vertical shaft 36 is journaled at its upper end in a cap piece 40 for the frame member 26 and the lower end of said shaft is supported in suitable bearing support means journaling the hub of the sprocket 35 in the cutter bar support member 38. A bevel gear 31 is secured to the vertical shaft 36 above the sprocket 35 and is meshed with and driven by a bevel pinion 38 carried on a longitudinally extending shaft 39 journaled in the cutter head I!) in a suitable manner The longitudinally extending shaft 39 is in turn driven from the motor I! in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

A helical gear 4! is secured to the shaft 36 above the hub of the bevel gear 31 and meshes with and drives a helical gear 43 on the forward end of a longitudinally extending shaft 44. The longitudinally extending shaft 44 is journaled in the frame member 26 and a spur pinion 45, herein preferably shown as being formed integral with its rearward end, meshes with an internal ring gear 46, which internal ring gear in turn is carried in the support frame 28 for free rotation with respect thereto. It is thus apparent that when the cutter chain 24 is being driven about the cutter bar 23, that the longitudinally extending shaft 44 will be driven from the shaft 36 and that the internal ring gear 46 will be rotated within the support frame 28.

Suitable means are provided for holding the internal ring gear 46 in a stationary position with respect to the support frame 28 and forming a means for pivoting the cutter head is about an axis extending longitudinally of the cutting element 16. Said means is best shown in Figures 4, 5, and 1 and is herein preferably shown as being a spring pressed pin 41 of a rectangular form carried in a sleeve 48 held in the support frame 28 in a suitable manner. The inner end of the pin 41 has opposite sides beveled and is adapted to engage any one of a number of notches 49 formed in the outer periphery of a rim of the internal ring gear 46. The notches 49 extend across the rim of the internal ring gear 46 and have inclined sides to conform to the shape of the inner end of the pin 41 so when the inner end of said pin engages any one of said notches, the internal ring gear 45 will be held in a stationary position and the cutter head [9 may be rotated about an axis extending longitudinally of the cutting element I6. The pin 4'! is disengaged from any one of the notches 49 by means of suitable link and lever mechanism, generally indicated by reference character 50 and held in a disengaged position by suitable looking means in a well known manner. The angle of incidence of the notches 49 and the bevel of the end of the pin 41 is such that upon overload of the turning mechanism the ring gear 45 will slip within the support frame 28 and stop pivotal movement of the cutter head l9.

A spring pressed pin 5| having a pilot pin 52 carried thereby, the details of which are best shown in Figures 4 and 6, is carried in the support frame 28 and is adapted to engage suitable apertures 54 formed in the outer periphery of the flanged rearward end of the frame member 26 for locking said frame member from rotation and holding the cutter bar 23 in various angular positions of adjustment with respect to the cutting element It? about an axis extending longitudinally of said cutting element. A suitable link and lever mechanism, generally indicated by reference character 55, is provided to disengage the spring pressed pin 5| from any aperture 54 and for holding said pin in a disengaged position with respect thereto in an obvious manner.

Referring now in particular to the means for driving the longitudinally extending shaft 39 from the motor l1, an armature pinion 5'! is carried on the forward end of an armature shaft 58 of said motor. The armature pinion 51 meshes with and i drives a spur gear 59 keyed on the rearward end of a shaft 60 extending longitudinally of the cutting element It? and journaled in the elevator frame IS in a suitable manner. A universal connection, generally indicated by reference character 6 I, is provided on the forward end of the shaft 6!) and forms a means for driving a shaft 63 therefrom when said shaft is disposed at various angular positions of adjustment with respect to the shaft 60. The shaft 63 has a hollow forward portion which is adapted to receive and drive a shaft 65, carried therein for slidable movement with respect thereto in a suitable manner. The shaft 65 forms a portion of another universal connection, generally indicated by reference character 56. The universal connection 66 in turn has driving connection with the longitudinally extending shaft 39 for driving said shaft when the cutter head i9 is in various angular positions with respect to the motor I1.

. ting element I5.

The cutting element I6 is vertically moved in the upstanding guide frames I4, It by means of suitable pinions 61, 61 carried adjacent opposite ends of longitudinally extending shafts 69, 59.

.. The longitudinally extending shafts 59, 69 are positioned on opposite sides of the elevator frame it and are journaled therein. The elevator frame I8 has guide portions I0, IO adapted to engage the inner sides and ends of the upstanding guide 7 frames Hi, It andretainingstripsll, II are secured to the outer sides of said guide portions in a suitable manner and abut shouldered outer sides of the upstanding guide frames I4, I 4. A worm gear 12 is keyed on each shaft 69 intermediate the ends thereof and said worm gears are meshed with and driven by worms l3 keyed adjacent opposite ends of a shaft I4 extending transversely of the elevator frame I8 and journaled therein in a suitable manner. The worms I3, I3 and worm gears i2, I2 are of the self-locking type; that is, the pitch of said worms and worm gears is such that the application of power on the worm gears will not drive their respective worms.

A spur gear i5 is keyed on an outer end of the shaft I l, herein preferably shown as being the right hand end of said shaft when looking from the rearward portion of the machine toward the cutter bar 23. A spur pinion I6 is feathered on a shaft TI disposed parallel with the shaft 14 for slidable movement therealong in such a manner that said spur pinion may be engaged with or disengaged from the spur gear I5 for selectively driving said spur gear from said shaft.

Oppositely facing bevel gears I9, I9 are freely mounted on the shaft TI intermediate its ends and are driven from a bevel pinion 89 on the rearward end of a longitudinally extending shaft BI carried in a suitable bearing support formed integral with the elevator frame 18. A suitable friction clutch member 83 is feathered on the shaft 'I'I intermediate the bevel gears 19, I9 for engagement with either of said bevel gears for driving said shaft at a frictionally controlled speed in reverse directions without reversal of the motor I I. The longitudinally extending shaft 3i is driven from the shaft 69 by means of reduction gears, generally indicated by reference character 84, in an obvious manner.

With reference now to the details of the means for supporting the cutter head ii! on the elevator frame I8 for adjustment with respect thereto in a plurality of parallel horizontal planes and for swinging movement with respect thereto in a vertical plane for vertically feeding the cutter bar 23 when cutting a shearing kerf in the mine wall, the arms 20, 20 are pivotally connected to the elevator frame I9 adjacent their rearward ends on opposite sides thereof for pivotal movement with respect to said elevator frame about the common horizontal transverse axis. The forward ends of the arms 20, 29 are secured to prongs 85, 85 of a forwardly extending forked portion 86 of the support frame 28.

The arms 2!, 2| are pivotally connected to opposite sides of a cradle 81 adjacent their rearward ends above the arms 29, 20 in the same vertical plane as said arms. The cradle 81 has a portion 81 which extends inwardly from and depends from one arm. 2! and is pivotally supported on the elevator frame 8 for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of the arms 20, 29 on a pivotal pin 18. The opposite side of the cradle 8'! depends from the opposite arm 2I and is pivotally supported on a pivotal pin 82, which pin serves as a pivotal support for one arm 29 (see Fig. 9).

Suitable locking mechanism, generally indicated by reference character 88, is provided for locking the cradle 87 in a fixed position with respect to the elevator frame I8 or for permitting said cradle to be pivotally moved with respect thereto and for locking the arms 28, 20 and 2|, 2! in fixed relation with respect to each other in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

The forward ends of the arms 2!, 2| are pivotally connected to opposite prongs 85, 85 of the forked portion 8'5 of the support frame 28 at a point disposed above the point of connection of the arms 29, 29 to said prongs. The arms 2i, 2i

are so arranged with respect to the arms 20, 29

support frame 28 adjacent opposite sides of the imiversel connection 66 and adapted to engage suitable arcuate guides 99, formed on the inner sides of wall portions 9|, 9|, herein shown as being formed integral with the elevator frame I8. The rearward faces of the guide portions 89, 89 are of a convex form and the forward faces of the arcuate guides 99, 90 are similarly of a convex form but are disposed oppositely to the guide portions 89, 89 to permit parallel and swinging movement of the cutter head I9 along said guides.

An arcuate rack 93 is secured to the inner sides of each arm 29 and extends upwardly and downwardly therefrom forwardly of the main frame Ill in a manner which is best shown by Figures 2, 3. 4, '22. 13, and 14. Pinions 99, '35 carried on coaxial transversely extending shafts 95, 95 mesh with the racks 93. A worm gear 96 is keyed to each transversely extending shaft 95. The worm gears 95 are meshed with and driven by worms 9"! and the pitch of said worms and worm gears is such as to form a self-locking drive connection for the shafts 95 and pinions 94. The worm 97, on the right hand side of the machine looking from the rearward end of the machine toward the cutter bar 23, is keyed on a longitudinally extending shaft 98. The longitudinally extending shaft 98 is journaled in the elevator frame I8 in a suitable manner and is driven from transversely extending shaft 99 through a pair of helical gears, generally indicated by reference character 599 (see Figs. 2 and 10). A spur gear iIlI is keyed on the outer end of the transversely extending shaft 99 and is adapted to be meshed with and driven from the spur pinion l6 slidably mounted on the transversely extending shaft TI. The worm 9'1 on the opposite side of the machine is driven from the shaft 98 by means of a pair of mitre gears 62, a transversely extending shaft 68, an-

other pair of mitre gears 92, and a longitudinally extending shaft 88 to which said worm is secured. It is thus apparent that when the spur pinion 'IB is meshed with the spur gear IM and the cradle 81 is held from movement, that the arms 20, 20 and 2|, 2| will be moved in parallel relation with respect thereto by means of the pinions 90, 04 meshing with the arcuate racks 03, 03 for vertically adjusting the cutter bar 23 in a plurality of parallel positions.

Referring now in particular to another novel feature of my invention and the details of the locking mechanism 88 for locking the arms 20, 20 and 2|, 2| in fixed relation with respect to each other so the cutter bar 23 may be swung about the axis of pivotal connection of the arms 20, 20 to the elevator frame I8, a link I02 is pivotally secured to the right hand arm 20 adjacent its inner side and forwardly of the axis of pivotal connection of said arm to the elevator frame I8. Another link I03 is pivotally secured to the free end of the link I02. The link I02 is adapted to extend rearwardly along the arm 20 when the locking mechanismv 88 is in an unlocked position and its length is such that the axis of pivotal connection of the link ")3 to said link is coaxial with the axis of pivotal connection of the arm 20 to the elevator frame I8 when said link is positioned as is shown in Figure 2. A link i045 is pivotally connected to the links I02 and I03 for movement about an axis coaxial with the axis of pivotal connection of the link I03 to the link 02. The link I04 is of substantially the same length as the link I02 and is adapted to extend forwardly from the link I03 when the locking mechanism. 88 is in an unlocked position. The free end of the link I is pivotally connected to a member I05 extending rearwardly from and formed integral with the cradle 81.

The link I03 is normally adapted to extend upwardly from the links I02 and I 04 when the locking mechanism 88 is in an unlocked position and a crank arm I06 is pivotally secured to its upper end. The crank arm I06 is keyed to the outer end of a transversely extending shaft I01, which shaft in turn is carried in the elevator frame I8 in a suitable manner.

A crank arm I08 is keyed to the opposite end of the transversely extending shaft l0! and has a rarwardly facing gear sector I09 secured thereto. The gear sector I09 may be of any type but is herein preferably shown as being of a helical construction and is meshed with and driven from a helical gear I I0 carried on an upstanding shaft III inclined toward the rearward portion of the machine.

A link H2 is pivotally connected to the gear sector I08 on the side opposite from the crank arm I08 and extends forwardly therefrom and has its opposite end pivotally connected to the cradle 81 for pivotal movement about an axis coaxial with the axis of pivotal movement of the transversely extending shaft 101. The link 2 is of substantially the same length as the crank arm I08 and the distance between its centers of pivotal connection to the gear sector I09 and cradle 81 is the same as the distance between the center of pivotal movement of the crank arm I08 and the point of connection of the link I03 to the link I02.

A worm gear H3 is secured to the upstanding shaft III upwardly of the helical gear Hi0 and is meshed with and driven by a worm ||4 freely mounted on the transversely extending shaft 'I'I.

Suitable clutch means, herein preferably shown as being a slidable clutch element I|5 feathered on the transversely extending shaft TI having internally cut teeth adapted to mesh with externally cut teeth on a member H8, herein preferably shown as being formed integral with the worm H4, are provided for selectively connecting said worm to the transversely extending shaft TI.

It is thus apparent that the gear sector I09 may be pivotally moved from the motor I'I about the axis of pivotal connection of the crank arm I08 to the elevator frame I8 in reverse directions without reversal of said motor. The worm II 4 and worm gear 3 are of the self-lockingtype to hold the g'ear'sector I09 and crank arm I08 in a stationary position when desired.

When. the locking mechanism 88 is in an unlocked position, the reaction of the link 2 against the pin 82 and the link I04 against the pin I8 holds the cradle 81 from pivotal movement with respect to the elevator frame I8 and the arms 20, 20 and 2|, 2| are free to move in parallel relation with respect to each other.

When it is desired to lock the cradle 81 and arms 20, 20 and 2|, 2| together for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of the arms 20, 20 to the elevator frame I8, the gear sector I09 is pivotally moved about its axis of pivotal connectionto the elevator frame I8. This in turn pivotally moves the crank arms I08 and I08 in a downward direction which in turn moves the links I03, I02, and I04 in a downward direction. When the link I02 is substantially perpendicular to a line intersecting the axis of pivotal connection of the arm 20 to the elevator frame I8 and the axis of pivotal connection of said link to said arm and. the link I 0 is substantially perpendicular to a line intersecting the axis of pivotal connection of the cradle 8'! to said elevator frame and the axis of pivotal connection of said lastmentioned link to the member 05, the axis of pivotal connection of the crank arm I08 to the link I03 is coaxial with the axis of pivotal connection of the arm 20 to the elevator frame I8 and the cradle 8! is locked by the link I00, link I03, and crank arm. I06 for pivotal movement with the arms 20, 20 about the axis of pivotal'connection of said arms to said elevator frame (see Figs. 12, 13, and 14). Thus, the arms 2|, 2| are supported by the cradle 81 for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of the arms 20, 20 to the elevator frame I8 for swinging the cutter bar 28 in a relatively wide arc.

When the cutter bar 23 is positioned so as to be disposed in a vertical plane, as is shown in Figures 12, 13, and 14, said cutter bar may be vertically swung about the axis of pivotal connection of the arms 28, 20 to the elevator frame I8 for cutting a vertical kerf in the mine wall from the mine roof to the mine floor in a usual manner. In cases where the swing of the cutter bar 23 is'not sufiicient to cut from the mine roof to the mine floor, the elevator frame i8 is elevated in the guide frames I8, I4 in a manner which has hereinbefore been described, to enable the forward portion of said cutter bar to be positioned adjacent the mine roof and sumped therein in a usual manner.

With reference to Figure 3, it should further be noted that when it is desired to cut adjacent the mine bottom the elevator frame I8 is preferably positioned in a downward position on the upstanding guide frames I0, I4 and the parallel arms 20, 20 and 2|, 2| are preferably positioned in an extreme downward position to permit the cutter bar 23 to be supported adjacent and parallel with the mine bottom for cutting a kerf therealong in front of and to each side of the track in a manner usual to track mounted machines of the same general type as is herein disclosed. When adjusting the cutter bar 23 for cutting from a position adjacent the mine bottom to a center position, said cutter bar may be elevated by means of the parallel arms 20, 26 and 2 l, 2 I. When it is desired to cut adjacent the mine roof, the cutter head !9 is rotated about its axis of pivotal connection to the support frame 28 until the cutter bar 23 is in an opposite position from. that shown by solid lines in Figure 3. In cases where the mine roof is of such a height that it cannot be reached by the parallel spaced arms 20, 20 and 2 I, 2!, the elevator frame [8 of the cutting element l6 may be elevated in the guide frames H5, H1 and racks l5, [5 until the cutter bar 23 is disposed adjacent the roof as is clearly shown by broken lines in Figure 3. With such an arrangement, there are no dead spaces where the cutter bar 23 may not cut horizontal kerfs in the mine wall as is the case where the axis of rotation of the cutter head is fixed.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from. the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a frame, cutting mechanism supported thereon including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, means for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including an arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, another arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a parallel axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for permitting said arms to move in parallel relation with respect to' each other and means for locking said arms in locked relation with respect to each other for movement about the pivotal axis of one of said arms.

2. In a mining machine, a frame, cutting mechanism supported thereon including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, means for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including an arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, another arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a parallel axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for permitting said arms to move in parallel relation with respect to each other, and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for movement about the pivotal axis of one of said arms comprising a cradle to which one of said arms is pivotally connected, a linkage connection between said cradle and other arm, and means for positioning said linkage connection for locking said cradle for pivotal movement with said other arm.

3. In a mining machine, a frame, cutting mechanism supported thereon including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, means for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including an arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, another arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a parallel axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for permitting said arms to move in parallel relation with respect to each other and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for movement about the pivotal axis of one of said arms comprising a cradle to which one of said arms is pivotally connected, a linkage connection between said cradle and other arm, and means for moving said linkage connection in one position for locking said cradle for movement with said other arm and in another position for locking said cradle from movement with respect to each of said arms.

4. In a mining machine, a frame, cutting mechanism supported thereon including a forwardly projecting cutter bar, means for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including an arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a transverse axis, another arm supported adjacent its rearward end for pivotal movement about a parallel axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for permitting said arms to move in parallel relation with respect to each other, and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for movement about the pivotal axis of one of said arms comprising a cradle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about an axis coaxial with the pivotal axis of one of said arms and having said other arm pivotally connected thereto, a linkage connection between said cradle and said other arm, and means for moving said linkage connection in one position for locking said cradle for pivotal movement with said other arm and in another position for locking said cradle from movement with respect to each of said arms.

5. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means for supporting said cutter head for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a plurality of parallel arms, means for permitting said parallel arms to move in parallel relation with respect to each other and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of one of said parallel arms.

6. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including planes adjacent the mine bottom comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head, and means for moving said parallel arms about their. axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising power transmission means, and means disposed rearwardly of the forward end of said frame for selectively locking said arms for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said arms to said frame disposed forwardly of said frame.

'7. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes including planes adjacent the mine bottom comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, means for moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising a rack disposed forwardly of the axes of pivotal connection of said parallel arms to said frameand a pinion meshing therewith and means disposed rearwardly of said rack and pinion for selectively locking said arms for movement about thepivotal axis of one of said arms. 8. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a. cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, and means for moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising a rack disposed forwardly of said frame having connection with one of said parallel arms, and a pinion selectively driven from said motor meshing therewith.

9. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, and means for moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising racks having connection with oppositely disposed parallel arms forwardly of their axes of pivotal connection to said frame and "pinions selectively driven from said motor meshing with said racks.

10. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar. disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, means for moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising power transmission means disposedforwardly of their axes of pivotal connection to said frame, and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said arms to said frame. I I I I 11. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head carrying a projecting cutter bar disposed forwardly of said frame, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a pair of parallel spaced horizontal axes and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, and means for moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said frame comprising power transmission means disposed forwardly of their axes of pivotalconnection to said frame and means for locking said parallel arms in locked relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said arms to said frame comprising a plurality of links connected together and having connection with said arms, and means for positioning said links in one position for locking said arms in fixed relation with respect to each other and in another position to permit said arms to 7 12. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means for supporting said cutter head for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a pair of spaced arms pivot-ally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a common axis and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, another pair of arms disposed above said first-mentioned arms and having pivotal connection with said frame adjae cent one of their ends and said cutter head adjacent their opposite ends, means for permitting said arms to move in such relation with respect to each other as to move said cutter bar into a plurality of parallel planes, and means for locking said arms together for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of said lowermost arms for swinging said cutter bar and cutter head in a vertical plane about an axis disposed rearwardly of its rearward end.

13. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means for supporting said cutter head for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a pair of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a common axis and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, another pair of arms disposed above said first-mentioned arms and having pivotal connection with said frame adjacent one of their ends and said cutter head adjacent their opposite ends, means for permitting said arms to move in such relation with respect to each other as tomove said cutter bar into a plurality of parallel planes, means for locking said arms together for pivotal movement about'the axis of pivotal movement of said lowermost arms for swinging said cutter bar and cutter head comprising a plurality of links connected together and having connection with said arms, and means parallel movement of said arms with respect to each other.

14. In a mining machine, a frame, a cutting element supported thereon including a motor, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom, means for supporting said cutter head for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes comprising a pair of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame adjacent their rearward ends for movement about a common axis and having pivotal connection with said cutter head adjacent their forward ends, another pair of spaced arms disposed above said first-mentioned arms and having pivotal connection with said frame adjacent one of their ends and said cutter head adjacent their opposite ends, means for per mitting said arms to move in such relation with respect to each other as to move said cutter bar into a plurality of parallel planes, means for looking said arms together for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of said lowermost arms for swinging said cutter bar and cutter head in a vertical plane comprising a plurality of links connected together and having connection with said arms, and means for positioning said links in one position for locking said arms in fixed relation with respect to each other, and in another position for permitting parallel movement of said arms with respect to each other comprising a gear sector having operative connection with one of said links and a self-locking drive connection from said motor to said gear sector.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said support, and means carried by said support for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes or for swinging movement about an axis disposed rearwardiy thereof comprising a plurality of parallel arms having pivotal connection with said support adjacent their rearward ends and having pivotal connection with said cutter bar adjacent their forward ends, and means for selectively locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of one of said parallel arms.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said support, means carried by said support for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes or for swinging movement about an axis disposed rearwardly thereof comprising a plurality of parallel arms having pivotal connection with said support adjacent their rearward ends and having pivotal connection with said cutter bar adjacent their forward ends, and means disposed forwardly of the axes of pivotal connection of said parallel arms to said support for pivotally moving said parallel arms about their axes of pivotal connection to said support or about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said arms to said support.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said support, and means carried by said support for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes or for swinging movement about an axis disposed rearwardly thereof comprising a pluralityof parallel arms having pivotal connection with said support adjacent their rearward ends and having pivotal connection with said cutter bar adjacent their forward ends and means for selectively locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of one of said parallel arms comprising a member supported for pivotal movement with respect to said support and having one of said parallel arms pivotally connected thereto, a link having pivotal connection with another of said parallel arms, a linkage connection between said link and member and another link having connection with said first-mentioned link, said last-mentioned link being adapted to move said first-mentioned link in a position disposed substantially perpendicular to a line passing through the axis of pivotal connection of said last-mentioned parallel arm to said support and the axis of pivotal connection of said first-mentioned link to said arm for locking said member to said last-mentioned parallel arm or in a position disposed substantially parallel to said link for permitting said parallel arms to move in parallel relation with respect to each other.

18. In an apparatus of the class described,,a

support, and means carried by said support for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes or for swinging movement about an axis disposed rearwardly thereof comprising a plurality of parallel arms having pivotal connection with said support adjacent their rearward ends and having pivotal connection with said cutter bar adjacent their forward ends and means for selectively locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal movement of one of said parallel arms comprising a member supported for pivotal movement with respect to said support and having one of said parallel arms pivotally connected thereto, a link having pivotal connection with another of said parallel arms, a link connected to said last-mentioned link, a connection from said link to said member, a link having pivotal connection with said first-mentioned link, and a drive connection to said last-mentioned link for positioning said first and second-mentioned links in positions substantially perpendicular to lines passing through the axes of pivotal connection of said arm and member to said support and the axes of pivotal connection of said links to said arm and member, or in positions substantially in alignment with said last-mentioned arm.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, a cutter bar disposed forwardly of said support, and means carried by said support for supporting said cutter bar for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes or for swinging movement about an axis disposed rearwardly thereof comprising a plurality of parallel arms having pivotal connection with said support adjacent their rearward ends and having pivotal connection with said cutter bar adjacent their forward ends and means for selectively locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said parallel arms to said support comprising a cradle supported for pivotal movement with respect to said support and having one of said parallel arms pivotally connected thereto, a link having pivotal connection with another of said parallel arms, a link connected to said last-mentioned link, a connection from said link to said cradle, a link having pivotal connection with said first and secondmentioned links and a connection for moving said last-mentioned link and positioning said first and second-mentioned links in a position disposed substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane parallel to said support when said last-mentioned parallel arm is in a lowered position or in a position substantially in alignment With said last-mentioned parallel arm when said arm is in a lowered position comprising a gear sector, a crank pivotally moved thereby, and a link connecting said crank with said first and second-mentioned links.

20. Ina mining machine, a frame, a motor thereon, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor, said cutter head including a support member, a frame member disposed forwardly thereof and carried thereby for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said frame, a projecting cutter bar carried by said frame member having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar comprising a shaft, a drive connection from said motor to said shaft, and a drive connection from said shaft for rotatably moving said frame member comprising a gear driven from said shaft and carried by said support member for rotatable movement with respect thereto and means for selectively holding said gear in fixed relation with respect to said support member or permitting said gear to rotate with respect thereto including a spring-pressed plunger adapted to be disengaged from said gear upon overload thereof.

21. In a mining machine, a frame, a motor thereon, a cutter head disposed forwardly of said motor, said cutter head including a support member, a frame member disposed forwardly thereof and carried thereby for pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of said frame, a projecting cutter bar carried by said frame member having a cutter chain movable thereabout, means for driving said cutter chain about said cutter bar comprising a shaft, a drive connection from said motor to said shaft, and a drive connection from said shaft for rotatably moving said frame member comprising a gear driven from said shaft and carried by said support member for rotatable movement with respect thereto and means for selectively holding said gear in fixed relation with respect to said support member comprising a pin engageable with said gear.

22. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a cutting element supported on said truck for vertical adjustment with respect thereto including a frame, a motor, a cutter head having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom disposed forwardly of said motor, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes and for swinging movement about an axis disposed transversely of said frame comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame and cutter head, and means for locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of one of said parallel arms or permitting said parallel arms tomove in parallel relation with respect to each other. a

23. In a mining machine, a track mounted truck, a cutting element supported on said truck for vertical adjustment with respect thereto including a frame, a motor, a cutter head having a cutter bar projecting forwardly therefrom disposed forwardly of said motor, means for supporting said cutter head on said frame for vertical adjustment in a plurality of parallel planes and for swinging movement about an axis disposed transversely of said frame comprising a plurality of parallel arms pivotally connected to said frame and cutter head and means disposed forwardly of the axes of pivotal connection of said parallel arms to said frame for pivotally moving said parallel arms in a vertical plane comprising a rack having a gear meshing therewith and means for locking said parallel arms in fixed relation with respect to each other for pivotal movement about the axis of pivotal connection of one of said parallel arms to said frame or permitting said parallel arms to move in parallel relation.

with respect to each other.

THOMAS E. PRAY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,067,359. January 12, 1937.

THOMAS E. PRAY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 74-75, claim 6, strike out the words "disposed forwardly of said frame" and insert the same after "means" first occurrence, and before the comma in line 70, same claim; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of March, A. D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

